Mazda drops MX-5 price across the range

Mazda's own sales strength and the price of the Toyota 86 helped negotiations to dramatically reposition the new fourth-generation ND Mazda MX-5 that goes on-sale in Australia this month.

While the $31,990 manufacturer listed price of the entry-level 1.5-litre manual version of the iconic two-seater was announced in May, full pricing and equipment details have now been revealed, including the 2.0-litre models that don't go on-sale until November [2015].

Pricing is at the bottom of this story, but the entire range of eight soft-top roadsters is spread across less than $10,000, with the most expensive 2.0-litre GT six-speed auto topping the range at $41,550.

To give the pricing some perspective, the cheapest entry-level 1.5-litre manual ND MX-5 is $2440 more expensive than the original NA 1.6-litre introduced here in October 1989. The most expensive model is $310 cheaper than the cheapest NC at its 2005 Australian launch, the $41,860 2.0-litre six-speed manual.

"We are fourth in the world in total volume so that certainly does help [in price negotiations] and third or fourth in profitability as well," Mazda Australia managing director Martin Benders explained.

"So that certainly helps, as well as being number one in market share... That gives us credibility over there [Japan]."

Benders confirmed the pricing of the Toyota 86 rear-wheel drive coupe, which currently starts at $29,990 for the entry-level 2.0-litre boxer four-cylinder manual, aided Mazda Australia's negotiations with the factory.

"I don't think it is fair to say we were copying 86 but it certainly gave us another opportunity in the negotiation to say 'these guys have gone there'. We don't need to be quite as aggressive but we need to be in the $30,000 space rather than the $40,000 space."

This is the first time Mazda has offered two engine capacity choices for the MX-5 at the same time in Australia (although there have been turbos and nat-atmo engines at the same time). The local distributor is hoping that the two engine choices, aligned with the drop in prices and increase in equipment, will mean a boost in sales that more reflects the overall popularity of the brand here, which now sits number two with a 9.8 per cent market share.

"The UK has over 25 years done 10 times our (MX-5) volume but never taken the price where we ended up," Benders said. "So with this model we thought it was about time to put it back into the mix."

Young couples without children are a primary target of the ND, along with empty-nesters.

The most MX-5s sold in one year in Australia is 1468 in 2006, aided by the launch of the retractable hard-top. Officially, Mazda is looking for around 1400 sales in 12 months from the launch line-up, with the manual 1.5 and 2.0-litre GT models expected to account for around 40 per cent of the sales.

A hard-top version of the ND is not expected for at least 12 months.

The SKYACTIV-G 1.5-litre makes 96kW at 7000rpm, 150Nm at 4800rpm and officially averages 6.1L/100km as a manual and 6.4L/100km as an auto. In 2.0-litre form, the SKYACTIV-G makes 118kW at 6000rpm, 200Nm at 4600rpm and averages 6.9L/100km as a manual or 7.1L/100km as an auto.

By comparison the NC's 2.0-litre MZR engine made 118kW and 188Nm and averaged 8.5/8.8L/100km. The original 1.6 from 1989 produced 85kW and 130Nm.

Kerb weight is always a big talking point for MX-5 and the Australian kilogram spread is from 1009 to 1057kg. The manual soft-top NC MX-5 weighed in at 1105kg at its Australian launch.

However, not all aspects of the ND story are upbeat as the company confirmed it is expecting a four rather than maximum five star ANCAP rating for the new MX-5, although the independent body has yet to crash test it.

Safety equipment the MX-5 comes standard with includes four airbags, a pedestrian-friendly active bonnet, stability and traction control and tyre pressure monitoring (there is no spare tyre). However, there is no sign of autonomous emergency braking, while a reversing camera is optional at $788 for the base model and $485 for the GT.

The entry-level 1.5-litre roadster also comes equipped with silver 16-inch alloy wheels, 195/50 tyres, body coloured mirrors, black cloth trim, air-conditioning, cruise control, trip computer, leather-wrapped steering wheel/handbrake lever/gear shift knob, six-speaker audio, aux and USB connections, Bluetooth, steering wheel audio controls, keyless push button engine start and a limited slip differential (manual-only).

For a $6000 impost the 1.5 GT swaps to gunmetal alloys and adds headlight auto on/off, LED daytime running lamps, heated piano black mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, black or tan leather seat trim, seat warmers, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, climate control, MZD Connect seven-inch screen, internet integration to Pandora, Stitcher and Aha radio, nine-speaker Bose audio, satellite navigation and keyless entry.

Additional 2.0-litre roadster features compared to the 1.5 include gunmetal 17-inch alloys, 205/45 tyres and LED DRLs. The $5060 more expensive 2.0 GT has all the same features as the 1.5 GT, but adds silver 17-inch alloys and 205/45 tyres.

The six-speed auto is a $2000 option across the range. A 'Kuroi pack' body kit adds $2605, while metallic paint is a no cost option except for Soul Red, which adds $200.

Under the Mazda Maintenance Program schedule services are conducted every 10,000km and cost $295 or $336 (although Mazda reserves the right to vary that price).

For much more on the design and engineering details of the lighter, smaller new MX-5, check these links:

Latest review of the new Mazda MX-5